Outpost

Seeking New Colonists!

Hello Storium players! New World Corporation has recently acquired its rival Planetfall, Inc. and all of its assets. As with many new colonies, we have seen some attrition and are seeking two additional personnel.

The inhabitants of Ihara have built a wonderful new home out of Dellingr’s unforgiving regolith. If you’re interested in joining these intrepid explorers, please submit an application to New World Corporation. Fresh colonists could be:

-New personnel recently transferred planetside-Existing colonists who are just now stepping forward into the spotlight-A transferee from a neighboring Outpost-A spy from a rival corporation/government-Anything else, as long as it makes sense within the context of the story

I encourage anyone interested to read up on what has transpired so far (it’s a great ride - the writers are fantastic), and please message me with any questions. I will also open a forum post HERE to answer questions that way, and so existing players can chime in.

Thank you very much, and we look forward to writing with you!

GusRNew World Corp. (previously Planetfall, Inc.)

The Story:

In 2093 Dr. Thomas Canter perfected what would later be called the Origami Drive. Able to manipulate the fabric of space, it finally delivered the stars to humanity. In only a few short years a kind of gold rush developed, with the inhabitants of an overcrowded Earth flocking to new worlds for either a chance at a better life, or simply through a sense of adventure.

Preoccupied with economic collapse and widespread conflict, the various governing bodies of Earth were unable to keep up with the rapidly developing industry of colonization. Dozens of companies rose and fell in a field almost devoid of meaningful regulation. Some groups, such as New World Corp, developed a pristine reputation for not only transportation, but also for the support of their growing colonies, or Outposts as they came to be known. These companies would recruit the best, brightest, and richest from Earth and cultivate a settlement as it developed into an economic powerhouse in its own right. Other, more affordable firms took a seeding approach, accepting anyone with cash and dropping them in pre-fab, barebones dropships. Dozens of these smaller Outposts could be scattered over the surface of any planet deemed ‘habitable’ and then left to fend for themselves.

You’re one such aspiring colonist from the latter category. Anything could have drawn you to pick up stakes and move half a galaxy away, with little-to-no hope of ever returning to Earth. You’ve packed what few bags were allotted by Planetfall Inc., and said your goodbyes to friends and family left behind.

It’s been over three months since you launched. With the Origami Drive unable to function properly near large gravitational bodies, the outpost transport ship burned away from Earth and into the void beyond its influence. You jumped then, and can still feel the terror of the countdown that led up to the actual event. One second you were only a few light minutes from home - the next, you were thousands of light years further.

It’s been another five and a half weeks since the jump, but you’ve finally made it. There’s a feed of your new home on the few view screens lining the bulkhead of your dropship, and what was once a faint dot has grown. Shades of blue and beige. A recorded voice rings through the intercom system, ordering all passengers to secure belongings and strap into harnesses. A shudder runs through the hull, heralded by a definitive chunk. There’s a feeling of acceleration, and you realize that you’ve been released from the transport ship. The final descent to the planet’s surface, your new home, has begun.

The World:

The planet your characters will be colonizing is officially designated as EPL 1009 c, but you and your companions have already started calling it Dellingr. It’s fairly Earth-like, as these things go, at about 85% of Earth’s gravity. The atmosphere is breathable, but a higher percentage of argon makes it slightly denser than Earth’s. With a weaker than average magnetic field, protection against solar radiation is a real concern.

Like all explored worlds, there have been no lifeforms discovered more complex than lichens. Something akin to cyanobacteria populate the oceans and other bodies of water, providing just enough oxygen to support an average human at sea level without breathing devices.

The site designated as Outpost 37 is located in in a geologically promising area on the coast of the southern hemisphere’s primary continent. Flatlands extend 10 kilometers inland, and are broken by a moderate mountain range running the length of the coast. Orbital surveys hint at a possible network of caves honeycombing the area.

Days last just over 30 hours, and the orbital period is 312 local days.

A Note on Pacing, Tone, and Mechanics:

The pacing is set to slow, but X scenes/week isn’t always accurate. To be more specific, I’d like players who will commit to contributing once every other day or so, even if it’s just a short post or a comment. I’ll try to move things along at a consistent pace with continuations if a scene lags.

Please write in the third person, past tense.

I’ve always been fine with other players taking control of my characters during a scene (as long as it fits with their existing personality), but realize that not everyone shares that feeling. If you’d like to use another player’s character in your scene, please hash it out in the comments first. Player death is a possibility, but only with permission (although injuries will certainly happen if a player’s move merits it).

As far as the tone of the story is concerned, I’d like this to lean toward hard science fiction (as cool as they are, no lightsabers please!), but am far more interested in having a fun story than being a stickler for reality. I want this to be an entertaining, near-future adventure.

For example, bio implants aren’t rare, but many people either can’t afford them or choose not to use them. Security personnel and soldier types tend to use handheld Gauss rifles or traditional projectile weapons. While far more advanced than our own devices, true AI has not been developed - computers and autonomous drones still require some human input and oversight. The Expanse Series, by James S. A. Corey is a good estimation of what I’m going for.

I’m okay with violence and language in this story, but other NSFW scenes are fade-to-black.

Finally, I’m a first-time narrator and am looking forward to my first story! While I have a general story arc in mind, I’m certainly open to changing course if that’s the direction the game takes.

A Note on Character Creation:

I’m looking for a cast of 3 - 5 players, with 5 being the absolute maximum. In your characters, please try to develop an interesting, evocative bio. It doesn’t have to be 1,000 words or over the top, but should give a good idea of their motivations and personality. Invitations will stay open for at least a week (assuming I get applicants, of course).

Please feel free to either use what I’ve provided or make up your own Natures, Strengths, Weaknesses, and Subplots - the ones I’ve included are just ideas. Artwork is appreciated, but not strictly necessary.

That about covers it. There’s a forum post HERE if you’d like to ask any questions or participate in worldbuilding. Thanks for considering Outpost everyone!